How To Remove Beeswax Stains

To remove beeswax stains, there is likely a beeswax spill that will need to be removed first in order to get to the possible underlying beeswax stain. When talking about removing beeswax stains or simply removing beeswax, there are a few things to discuss, beeswax candles, furniture polishes with beeswax in them, and hair products with beeswax. We'll cover each unique situation with tips to help you resolve the problem.

How to Remove Beeswax Candle Wax

If you're unfortunate enough to have spilled a melted candle, other than the irritation of having yet one more thing to do, candle wax can easily be removed from most surfaces, by icing or melting it.

To remove spilled beeswax you will need the following, depending on whether the surface is reasonably flat-ish or not:

Ice pack or ice cubes in a plastic bag (that bag of frozen veggies you've been meaning to toss would also work)

Hair dryer or flat iron

Clean cloth or paper towels

Knife, spatula, credit card, or any object suitable for scraping

Plain paper bag

Liguid detergent/warm water solution

Do one of the suggestions bellow that pertains to your particular surface:

Apply ice to beeswax and allow to "freeze." If object is small enough, it may be placed directly in the freezer for about 15 minutes or long enough to harden the wax.

Remove ice with fingers or other object.

Clean any residue with liquid detergent and warm water and cloth.

For areas that can't be iced, apply low heat from a hair dryer to melt wax using a cloth to catch drips and wipe away as it melts.

Place a plain paper bag over beeswax and apply warm iron. Wax will adhere to the bag as it softens. Place clean section of bag over the area and repeat until wax is removed this works especially well with fabrics.\

Repeat step #3

How to Remove Beeswax Stains Left Behind

To remove any stain left behind after cleaning the area with a detergent solution, you will need the following:

Remember when working with stains, to blot, not rub, this allows for better removal of the stain. Also if using commercial stain removers, be sure to follow directions according to manufacturer's guidelines.

Apply a small amount of vinegar or denatured alcohol to affected area with soft cloth or cotton.

Blot area until stain is removed.

Apply commercial stain remove per directions.

How to Remove Beeswax Build-up From Furniture

Wax build-up is specific to wood furniture, because the cleaners and polishes sold for wood generally contain wax to protect the wood surface. Regular use leaves a dull finish over time as it "builds-up." This thick coating needs to be removed to restore the natural beauty of the furniture.

You will need the following items:

1 quart of vinegar

1 quart of warm water

Bucket or container large enough to hold 2 quarts

Water for rinsing

Clean soft cloth

Furniture polish of your choice

Follow these steps and your furniture will be looking new again soon.

Combine the quart of warm water and quart of vinegar in bucket

Apply to beeswax build-up with soft cloth. Allow solution to sit, if needed.

Wipe away old wax.

Continue process until beeswax is removed.

Rinse with clean water and dry.

Apply favorite polish.

How to Remove Beeswax Build-up From Hair

Hair products containing beeswax can be problematic to remove, because wax is not only a shaping agent, but it's also a natural water barrrier. When shampooing alone doesn't get it done for you, there are other solutions that will work with just a bit more effort.